Christian World Service (CWS) is calling for Christians in Aotearoa New Zealand to help the Family Centre Samoa provide psychosocial and medical support to hurting families in Samoa.

This week the Family Centre in Lower Hutt contacted CWS to ask for their help as they sent a staff member and  a child and adolescent psychiatrist to support the Family Centre Samoa’s three psychosocial care teams. The Samoa-based care teams are trained to offer community support after disasters and they last worked with CWS in 2012 following the widespread damage caused by Cyclone Evan.

In a letter to supporters today CWS Director Pauline McKay said the measles virus has already claimed too many lives and CWS encourages churches here to help ensure people in Samoa can get vaccinated and get the support they need in the face of this tragedy. 

The Family Centre Samoa teams will provide support to each aiga who has lost a child or loved one, as well as to people providing medical care to those who are sick or affected by the virus.

At present the Family Centre Samoa is undertaking a needs assessment to see where support is most critical. Initially they will focus on outlying rural areas where people are isolated from other support services. 

“This is a very traumatic time for the families and communities in Samoa,” said Pauline McKay, “Please continue to pray for everyone affected.”

Now churches in Aotearoa New Zealand can also support families in Samoa through the CWS Samoa appeal.  

Donations can be made:

• On line and by direct deposit to the Samoa Measles Appeal
• By Phone with a credit card: 0800 74 73 72
• By Post to: CWS, PO Box 22652, Christchurch 8140